Jeffrey Donaldson Pleads Not Guilty to Sex Offence Charges
Jeffrey Donaldson Pleads Not Guilty
Jeffrey Donaldson, who used to be the leader of Northern Ireland’s DUP (Democratic Unionist Party), has said he is not guilty of 18 charges of sexual abuse. These charges relate to incidents that happened between 1985 and 2008, which means they are about events from many years ago. He made this statement at Newry Crown Court.
What Are the Charges?
The 61-year-old Jeffrey Donaldson faces several serious accusations. These include:
- One charge of rape: This means he is accused of forcing someone into sexual activity.
- Four charges of gross indecency: This means behaving inappropriately or offensively, usually in a sexual manner.
- 13 charges of indecent assault: This means touching someone sexually without their permission.
These accusations are spread over 21 years, allegedly between 1987 and 2008.
Eleanor Donaldson Also Pleads Not Guilty
Jeffrey Donaldson’s wife, Eleanor Donaldson, is also involved in this case. She has pleaded not guilty to helping her husband commit these crimes. The 58-year-old Eleanor faces three charges of aiding and abetting. This means she is accused of helping him do the things he is charged with, but she also said in court that she didn’t do this.
Court Appearance and Next Steps
The couple appeared together at Newry Crown Court for their first hearing in this case. They had been in front of magistrates before, but this was their first time in a higher court. Both stood in court while the charges were read to them, and both said they were not guilty.
Their trial will begin in March 2025, when they will be tried in full court to decide whether they are guilty or innocent.
Arrest and Resignation
In March 2023, Jeffrey Donaldson and his wife were arrested at their home. After his arrest, Jeffrey Donaldson quit his role as the DUP leader and as a UK Parliament lawmaker. This was a surprise because, just before his resignation, he had played a key role in helping the party make decisions about Northern Ireland’s position after Brexit.
Summary of the Court Hearing
The court hearing was brief. Jeffrey Donaldson stood and said “not guilty” when each of the 18 charges was read out. His wife, Eleanor, also stood up and said “not guilty” to the charges against her. They both left the court after the hearing and will return in 2025 for the trial.
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